5 Ways To Soothe Heel Pain

 Foot injuries are common for every age group. We need to take good care of our feet as the lower limbs bear our body weight. 

One frequent problem that people face is  stabbing pain at the heels. Chronic heel pain might occur due to plantar fasciitis. 

Minor foot injuries can heal on their own, whereas inflamed plantar fascia needs immediate medical attention. When left ignored the inflammation gets worse and results in painful mornings and sleepless nights. 

It is best to see a podiatrist for heel pain treatment. In the meantime you can soothe heel pain with some simple at-home remedies. Before you try to combat the problem on your own, make sure you educate yourself about your condition.

What is plantar fasciitis and how do you know you have it?

Plantar fascia is a web-like tissue at the bottom of your foot. Due to overuse, the tissues tear or get inflamed and cause discomfort. Heel pain problems can happen to anyone who is constantly running, jumping, or standing all day on a ladder for a home renovation project.

Some people feel better within a month after rest, whereas in some cases the inflammation and tearing take years to improve. The most common indicator forplantar fasciitis is painful feet on weight bearing.. Therefore, people notice the discomfort as soon as they wake up and get out of bed in the morning. 

Other signs of plantar fasciitis are:

Increased pain after walking or exercise
Painful sensations and stiffness at the arch of the foot
Swollen heels
Lingering pain that stays for months

Why do plantar fasciitis symptoms get worse for you?

Any type of health complication is most likely to trouble people with increasing age. If you are above the age of 40, your plantar fascia becomes more vulnerable to injury during overuse. Other factors that might be contributing to your problem are:

Flat feet 
Excessive body weight
Improper footwear
Physically strenuous lifestyle
Lack of workouts and stretching exercise
Not wearing splints or supports 

If you think you are obese, then try to shed some weight or else the plantar fasciitis symptoms could ( disclaimer) get worse. Moreover, choosing incorrect footwearalso contributes to the level of discomfort.  If you need guidance for your running shoes and night time splints, talking to a sports podiatry specialist is the right choice.

How to soothe the heel pain?

Runners, aged individuals and people with flat feet are at a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis conditions. People who are likely to suffer from these conditions also need to know how to deal with them. If you belong to one of these categories and are wondering  why your heels are hurting, then getting a proper examination is recommended. A thorough diagnosis helps in understanding if it’s plantar fasciitis and how advanced the condition is. 

Permanent relief from heel pain is possible when you work with  a podiatrist on an ongoing treatment or management plan. For temporary soothing, you can try any of the below-mentioned remedies:

Ice packs: Inflammation accompanied by swollen heels can be treated with ice packs. Gently use ice packs on the affected area for 20 minutes and then rest for 20 minutes. Repeat the process three to four times to relieve the symptoms. 
Massage: A gentle massage on the affected area helps a lot. Massagingat night, is especially effective in reducing the pain level reduces in the morning. 
Rest: Avoid doing activities that make your condition worse. Take  the weight off your feet, avoid walking barefoot and avoid walking on an uneven surface. 
Stretching: Roll a tennis ball under the arch of your foot for three minutes. Gently do this exercise twice a day to soothe heel pain. 
Shoe inserts: Invest in a good pair of running shoes or try adding comfortable shoe inserts that offer ample support to the tearing or inflamed plantar fascia. 

When to see a doctor?

In some cases, plantar fasciitis pain subsides on its own. However, if the heel pain is bothering you a lot and affecting your quality of life, then there is no point in waiting for the symptoms to fade. Ignoring the pain might make the condition worse. Rather than putting off booking an appointment for a swollen heel, isn’t it ideal to search for sore heel treatment options right at the onset of the condition?

Seek professional assistance when:

The pain persists after a week-long course of over-the-counter pain medications.
The pain still persists after adequate rest and massage.
The symptoms get worse even after changing  footwear.  

What are the podiatry treatment options for plantar fasciitis?

When everything else fails, your last resort is to book an appointment at a podiatrist’s clinic. Podiatrists specialize in  non-invasive Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis. They conduct a thorough examination to identify your condition and then suggest ideal treatment choices including, orthotics (custom shoe inserts), physical therapy and night-time splints. 

Most cases can be treated with these solutions, whereas in most severe conditions patients are recommended to get shockwave therapy to treat the inflammation and stimulate tissue repair. 

Final word 

No need to be scared of plantar fasciitis. While it is a common problem,  make sure that you get timely treatment to get rid of the condition as soon as possible. If the 5 ways to soothe heel pain we have suggested fail, book an appointment at a foot and nail clinic on the link given below.